A fake bomb alarm clock on sale in a Belfast city centre shop has been branded "tasteless" by the city's deputy lord mayor.

The product is on sale for £30 in gadget shop Gismo bearing the label 'best seller' and calls have been made for its removal from shelves.

Deputy Mayor Guy Spence said: "Explosive devices aren't seen as objects of humour, instead they represent hurt, harm and destruction for many in our city."

He went on: "I would appeal for those selling products such as this to rethink their decision to place these on sale. If citizens were to see this in a public place it may cause fear and confusion.

"Belfast is in a much better place from its violent past, but selling tasteless products such as these which replicate the destruction of the past does not represent our vision of regeneration and reconciliation."

One shocked shopper told Belfast Live that "in the current climate", the fact that the item was sitting on shelves was "unbelievable".

Deputy Lord Mayor Guy Spence (Image: Aaron McCracken/Harrisons)

He said: "I just couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw it. It’s so realistic, it’s incredible. If someone put that in a building or some public place, it’d be cleared with cops everywhere. There’d be a full on security alert and all the disruption that goes with it.

“In the current climate it’s just unbelievable you can buy something like this. With all that’s going on in the world now and with the history of this place it just seems crazy.

"The fact they have a 'best seller' sticker on it as well just takes me to the fair.”

The product remained on sale earlier today, Friday, and Belfast Live has reached out to the store for comment but has yet to receive a reply.